For $39 billion, every child in the world could get an education

Primary school enrollment hit the 90% range across the world in 2015 — an extraordinary achievement! But there are still 57 million kids in low-income and low-middle-income countries not in primary school.

... which seems like a ton of money, until you realize: Americans drop $40 billion annually on lawn care.

Keeping those lush landscapes looking healthy all summer takes loads of time and money. From leaf blowers to lawn mowers and fertilizers to pesticides, U.S. consumers spend some serious cash on their landscapes, according to Ted Steinberg, author of “American Green: The Obsessive Quest for the Perfect Lawn.”

$24 billion per year would ensure universal access to safe water and sanitation.

Since 2000, 2.1 billion people worldwide have gained access to proper sanitation, including toilets or latrines. And 90% now has improved drinking water sources. But 663 million people are still without improved drinking water sources, and 2.4 billion basic sanitation services. $24 billion could fix all that.

Meanwhile, in Asia, consumers spend nearly that much on mobile games each year.

World hunger could be completely wiped in less than two decades by spending just $160 a year for each person living in extreme poverty.

The proportion of undernourished people in developing regions fell by almost half since 1990! But we have our work cut out for us if we hope to completely end world hunger. Eradicating world hunger sustainably by 2030 will require an estimated $267 billion per year — or $160 per person for 15 years. You could spend that money on other essentials, but let’s also remember …

In the U.S., the average consumer spends about $1,043 per year just going out to lunch.

It will cost about $90 billion to $120 billion over 25 years to eradicate malaria.

The number of kids who die from malaria has fallen by more than 50%. Yet, nearly 500,000 kids still die from it each year. With funds of $90 billion to $120 billion over 25 years, the world would be free of malaria. $120 billion may seem unattainable, until you consider …

Global Nutella connoisseurs spend about $2.46 billion on the sweet stuff per year.

For $50 billion over 10 years, world-changers could reduce the number of malnourished children.

Poor nutrition causes 45% of deaths in children under 5. That’s 3.1 million children each year. The World Health Organization’s goal of reducing the number of kids who are stunted from malnutrition to less than 5% by 2025 will cost $50 billion over the next 10 years — averaging out to $5 billion per year — or $8.50 per child. That seems doable, right? Especially when you find out …

Americans spend $56 billion on their pets each year.

U.S. consumers love to spoil their little friends, according to CBS News.Bob Vetere, the president and CEO of the American Pet Products Association, says most of the money (about $22 billion) went toward more expensive, healthier food, but veterinary care, supplies and medicines, services such as grooming and boarding make up the rest of the spending.

These numbers may seem overwhelming and, let’s face it, practically impossible to fix. But plenty of humanitarian organizations — along with the World Bank — believe that the current generation is the first in history that can end extreme poverty once and for all.

All it takes is harnessing the power of passionate individuals dedicated to transforming the lives of kids living in poverty. “Never doubt that a small group of thoughtful committed citizens can change the world,” anthropologist Margaret Mead once said. “Indeed, it is the only thing that ever has.”